2009 Spring Break
Coach Bauch and I have spoken about our policy for Spring Break this season and I wanted to touch base with everyone so that you can understand what we are expecting. I will let the other coaches for the other teams set their policies, what is written below pertains directly to the Varsity team.
We understand that people sometimes plan Spring Break vacations well in advance, and since we were not able to give ample notice regarding our policies for Spring Break, we are not here to say that no one can be gone for that week. But, we do want to say a few words regarding the varsity team. The girl's soccer season is extremely compact, and every chance we get to practice is important.
Once we come back from Spring Break we play Madison Memorial on that Wednesday, and I don't think I need to explain to anyone the importance of that match. The week of Spring Break is going to be very important to the season because we need that time for practice.
With Coach Bauch and myself taking over the program this season, there are going to be changes; formations and strategies will change, and players may be asked to play different positions or roles within the team. So again, practice time becomes evermore important for our team success.
If you are planning on being gone for Spring Break and missing that week of practice, Coach Bauch and I will need to know BEFORE tryouts begin. If you choose to be gone for the week of practice, understand that it could affect your playing time in the future.
We are not establishing a directly related suspension (say, sit out a game or a half of a game) but it could come as a result of the time you will personally lose practicing with the team. The players that are in Madison and with the team during Spring Break will benefit from the increased practices and will be able to better establish their roles with the team.
Everyone is coming into this season with a blank slate in terms of making the varsity team and playing time; playing time and the role that each of you plays will be a result of what Coach Bauch and I see in practices and games.
One of the reasons West has developed into a strong and successful program is because of the dedication and hard work of every girl that has played for our school. Going into this season our potential is limitless, and the more we dedicate ourselves to the success of this team - in all aspects - the greater our accomplishments will be.
Thank you,
Peter Dermody
